- By Vivek Raj
- Mon, 22 Jan 2024 07:43 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The town of Ayodhya is all set to welcome Lord Ram with the consecration ceremony today at the newly constructed Ram Mandir, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to participate in the rituals. The 'Pran Pratishtha' of the idol of Ram Lalla, the childhood form of Lord Ram, will draw attendees from diverse backgrounds, including representatives from spiritual and religious sects, tribal communities, Bollywood celebs, cricket stars, and others.
Scheduled to commence at 12:20 pm and expected to conclude by 1 pm, the ceremony will be followed by an address from Prime Minister Modi, who will also interact with those associated with the temple's construction. Additionally, the Prime Minister will visit Kuber Tila to perform a 'pooja' at a restored ancient Shiv temple.
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The Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, constructed in the traditional Nagara style, stands at a length of 380 feet, width of 250 feet, and height of 161 feet. Adorned with 392 pillars and 44 doors, the temple showcases intricate sculptures depicting Hindu deities. The consecration rituals, which began on January 16 from the Saryu River, will culminate on Monday afternoon.
With the central government announcing a half-day off on January 22, live broadcasts of the event are expected to reach millions of viewers. Temples across the country are also planning special festivities to mark the occasion.
Ayodhya has been adorned with flowers, lights, and thematic street decorations, reflecting the city's immersion in religious fervor. Strict security measures, including 10,000 CCTV cameras and AI-equipped drones, are in place, with multiple NDRF teams deployed to address various emergencies.
The guest list for the ceremony includes prominent figures from diverse fields, such as Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, business magnates Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. Opposition leaders have largely declined invitations, characterising the event as a "BJP-RSS event."
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The consecration ceremony marks a significant milestone in the construction of the Ram temple, following the historic Supreme Court judgment in 2019 on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit. The Hindu litigants argued for the temple's construction, claiming the Babri Mosque was built on the birthplace of Lord Ram. The ceremony unfolds after the demolition of the 16th-century mosque by "kar sevaks" in 1992.
